By Michael Wade

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is set to return to the Ivory Coast squad on Tuesday after successful surgery on a fractured arm, the Ivorian Football Federation reported in a statement on Monday.

However, they did not indicate how fit the player is and if he will be available for selection when the Elephants kick off their group campaign against Portugal on June 15th.

Drogba fractured the ulna of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland last weekend and was quickly rushed into surgery in Berne the following day.

Ivorian Football Federation spokesman Roger Kouassi’s statement read: "His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team-mates as soon as possible."

Ivory Coast also face Brazil and Korea DPR in Group G. They will fancy their chances of progressing from the group but will need their talisman Drogba who is central to any hopes of taking part in the latter stages.